I won a review copy of Sing Like No One's Listening by Vanessa Jones during BookCon and am just now getting around to read it. It was published in September, so I'm not that far off from the publication date.
Musical theater geeks will LOVE this book. It's got references to musicals, plays, and movies, and it's all about a bunch of kids at a performing arts college in England.
Our main character is Nettie, who dreams of being a singer, but she hasn't been able to sing a note since her mom died. Despite a lackluster audition, Nettie still gets a spot at the prestigious Duke's, where she quickly meets the handsome singer-songwriter Fletch. The two of them become friends and songwriting partners, and Nettie confides in him about losing her mom and her voice.
However, Fletch doesn't hear her sing. Only a mystery piano player hears her voice, as Nettie stumbles into an auditorium and begins singing, thinking that she's alone, only to have a piano start to accompany her. These singing sessions invigorate Nettie, though she wonders who is sitting behind the curtain at the piano.
Cue romantic miscommunications ala Jane Austen and you've got a teen rom-com that also tackles the topics of grief, self-confidence, and positive body image.
I do wish the book had explored more of Nettie's relationship with her mom and her grandmother, including her mom's past. I felt like that part of the story sort of dropped off after being teased a little bit.
But overall, I think this would be a great young adult novel for any teen who also dreams of dancing, singing, and performing stardom.
Sing Like No One's Listening is published by Peachtree and is on bookstore shelves now. I received a free ARC.
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